Do You Prefer Oil Or Acrylic Medium?

I prefer acrylic because it dries fast, but I won't lie, oil always looks better. I'm sure it's wrong to say this, but after a painting is done, oils just seem to look better and higher in quality. Thank you for asking. I need to do more work in oil, but hate the mess.

Good Question Lutz. I prefer oils even though they take longer to dry, I find them easier to use and I love the richness of textures because they are fat......like me.
I also enjoy acrylics, but others know how to use them as if oils to get rich depth and texture, and I do not. They seem 'flat' and skinny....not like me, lol
The colours are more 'true' when dry, with oils, imHo.

I love them both.

Both. I find that if I mix my acrylics with KY Jelly or any waterbase personal lubricant they behave somewhat like oils. Not the real thing though but similar. I usually put my acrylics down then paint with oils over it for the richness.

I love watercolour !

When looking at others' Art......here on FAA, the diversity is astounding. Every discipline is represented, and I have fav's from each!

I work in both oils and acrylics and like them both equally but don't combine them on the same artwork. The test of time for longevity of a painting hasn't been proven with acrylics yet. My customers seem to prefer oils. I also work in oil pastel and soft pastel.

When I turned over to acrylic paintings I missed the satin-shining finish of the oils. So for some time I put an extra layer of oil colors on top of the acrylic painting. Now I only do pure acrylics. My wife misses the smell of oils in the studio.

i love watercolor. acrylics dry too fast.

That's interesting about your wife missing the smell of the oils, Lutz. I've had customers ask why many oil paintings don't smell the same as they used to - one reason is many oil color companies don't use the linseed oil anymore( I still use it) which people are used to and there are now odorless mediums instead of the old turpentine" fragrance. " I was smelling a sweet odor from one of my supply shelves and finally cleaned it the other day and there was a small Grumbacher turpentine container that had leaked and I couldn't believe I didn't recognize that smell having used it for years before switching to odorless varieties.

As for Acrylics drying too fast Kim, there is a medium you can add to to keep it workable longer.

I always preferred waterbased paints.

Oil everytime

I can't tell as I have not worked in oils yet. I just love acrylics and I will stick with this for a while.

Oils.

--Roz Barron Abellera

Oils, acrylics dry too quickly for my slow hands!

I like both. Oils for representational, more traditional work, still life, landscape, etc., but acrylics are fun for non-representational expression. Mostly the choice depends on my mood. Slow, patient, contemplative goes with oil. Freewheeling, loose, and whimsical goes with acrylics. As for purchasing art, I look for something that draws me in. The type of paint doesn't matter.

M. Graham oil paints uses walnut oil instead of linseed. Walnut oil based paint doesn't have the intense smell as linseed does. I had to switch because after 20 years of using linseed paints I would get horrific migraines.

I use both acrylic and oil depending on the subject to be painted. I would use oil for an 'organic' scene like a forest or countryside scene, and acrylics for more 'technical' things like buildings and boats. I do find my style changes slightly when using one or the other because of the fast drying of the acrylics or the slow drying of the oils, as the media dictates how you work. In both medias I use the paint straight out of the tube with a little water for acrylics or white spirit for oils.
I do enjoy the smell and handling of oils over acrylics however.

Sorry about your allergic reaction to linseed, Melissa - I'm surprised I haven't gotten one yet- an artist I know had to quit using acrylic paints because of allergy and now uses oils. I guess it makes a strong case for using watercolors. Maybe I should switch anyway to see if it makes a difference in my health.

I love both, I think each medium out there has its own merits. I could never stick to just one medium. I like acrylics because I tend to paint very fast, but love the feel of oils. What I chose really depends on the piece I am doing, sometimes a subject will just call for a certain medium, I go where the call leads me.

I use oils, but I underpaint with acrylic paint, beginning with a ground of burnt umber.

Here's a great video that illustrates why a few painters are still called the Masters, and why oils are far superior to acrylic paint:

http://youtu.be/MaRnRfZwFxY

What about your audience reactions concerning oil versus acrylic? Have you experienced that "buyers" have an opinion on this?

I prefer using oils, because they have a rich texture and I like the end result when dry. I love painting with oil, and I enjoy the whole process when mixing colors or layering, because it give so much depth to the painting.

Lutz, I do understand why your wife misses the smell of the oil paint in your studio, as I love the smell of oil paints too. Even I used to paint with water mixable oil, because when I was living in Hungary, I had no studio, so I was working near my kids, and I did not wanted them to be exposed to a strong hazardous solvents.
But since last year my circumstances have changed and I moved here, so I had to leave my oil paints behind, with all my brushes and stuff.

Because the water mixable oil paint is more expensive here, I only bought some acrylic paints, and started to paint again a few paintings. But I do not like acrylics as much, because I like painting with palette knife and even I got some texture gel, still not like the oil paint and they are drying dull. Only one thing I like in acrylics; its dry so much faster, but in the same time I don't like it, because makes it harder layering colors. As I used to paint the next day over the image, because with oil is blend so much better when it started to dry a little.

When I look at other people's work, I kind of like acrylics better. My favorites are the light pastel color acrylic paintings.

"What about your audience reactions concerning oil versus acrylic? Have you experienced that "buyers" have an opinion on this?"

My experience is when people see my paintings in real life; they are tend to touch the oil and slide their fingers on them. Saying what a nice texture.
They never want to touch my acrylic paintings.

Oil is my preference, though I don't deny the superior safety, cost, and cleanup of acrylics. The age-old complaint of acrylics is that you can't "mud," they lack depth, and dry too quickly. I agree with this criticism on all three counts. Oils preserve a certain "re-workability," where acrylics almost never let you return to an area without flatly painting over it. Yes, I have tried years ago acrylics and have included retarders and moisturizers--even going so far as to wet the back of the canvas to slow down drying. The end result led me back to oils--of any quality, of any manufacturer. In fact, I have employed Rust-oleum paints for much of my work over the past 15 years...love the drippy, sticky affects it allows, while still allowing me to smear knife-applied texture over built up areas.

Oh, Patrick, flattery will get you everywhere.
Hiya, hon....how have you and your oils been lately?
I was knee deep in acrylics and airbrush inks today...for the first time in 11 months...feels so gooooood!
:::waving to Lutz::::::

http://painting.about.com/cs/oils/a/dryingoils.htm

All you need to know, about oil mediums, and then some.........a good reference.

Wow, Marlene! I didn't realize how much I've missed you until I heard your voice again...so to speak. (No pun intended.)

I'm cooking up a wicked brew for a Kickstarter Project that I hope to launch and get funded, soon. (No, not some new IPA to satisfy my obsession with beer-making. Or, uh, drinking.)

One must have patience, for good things come to those who wait. And wait. And then wait some more. Boy, am I ever tired of waiting.

So I guess oil is still number one, both for artists and for the audience, right?

Lutz, I really like oil digital painting too....nice and clean,not smelly.......lol......just a joke, folks, keep yer hats on.....or is it digital oil painting....lol !

"So I guess oil is still number one, both for artists and for the audience, right?"

IMO...Yes, Lutz...100%...but oil applied in an amateur way is no different than any other paint med. It's all in the "hand"...my friend ;)

as far as the audience...
most need to ask...others will know by looking...others will equate it with price...and some don't care as long as they like the image or matches the sofa. ;)

btw...I would no longer say for "artists"...I would say for "painters" (who use actual paint! lol)...because now there are millions of digital artists who never use oil or acrylic, etc.

What a great question! i love how it's got everybody thinking!

I love all mediums, but find oils are great for building up a great consistency & are much more forgiving than watercolours & acrylics because those dry quicker.

Tell you what though I like to mix watercolour & acrylic, It can give such body to the painting whilst giving enough fluidity.

I do love the different effects that you can achieve with watercolours though, even though I know the question was oils or acrylics :)

Oils are considered by many to be the 'serious' painters medium though according to many aren't they, I think you can get just as good results if you use acrylics like oils even though I appreciate people would say 'why not just use oils then?', Acrylics dry quicker so are more convenient.

Acrylics- due to drying time and convenience... two young kids... and home as my studio... :)

In the same way, acrylics applied in a professional way look fabulous
just sayin'

I think we can agree that all paint applied poorly garners the same results..

The whole web is "just sayin" stuff!...lol...And when ever one uses that phrase they're actually "sayin" a whole lot more than what they just said!


To be honest...I just don't comprehend the "battle" between mediums. Do people actually think there is absolutely no difference between oil and acrylic except that oil takes longer to dry?? or uses different painting mediums???...it boggles my mind! lol

Oil paint has a higher amount of pigment than acrylic paint and they give a more unique "look and feel" to the final piece...plus...not all pigments in oil are available in acrylic...But do you really want to know the difference between the two??...Most every "blog" on the web about their differences is written by a painter who uses acrylic.;)

Oil painters know the subtle differences in the look and the difficulties and difference in the technique needed...we don't need to write blogs to defend the medium...history does that. lol

Everyone uses what ever the heck medium they like...it's "how" they use them that matters...end of story.

I paint with anything I want...But in oils...ahhhh...that's where the romance begins! ;)

don't hold anything back, Lawrence. lol.
As an interesting aside, I could replace a few words and we could be talking religion or politics ;)

Almost hate to butt in (again) but well said...'oils - there's where the romance begins'......I started with oils at age ten...used them for over a decade, then jumped on the acrylic wagon because it lent itself to large works and gestural action...but I've missed my first love and recently returned at least for trysts between my fickle affairs with water colors, fluid acrylics, charcoal, pigment sticks, sand with modeling gel, pastels, ink and brayers....just a loose woman. Thankfully there is no need for monogamy or monotomy in today's art medium world.
Is the next question about our preferences in paper, canvas, linen or synthetics? Now there's a discussion!

~Marlene, my dear...I'd enjoy talking religion/politics on here with you and most (lol) people here....more than "talking" about art.



~Betty... "Is the next question about our preferences in paper, canvas, linen or synthetics? Now there's a discussion!

lol...I said almost the same exact thing to myself earlier tonight!
In my years here...it's always about the paint! And which ever paint the person uses...that's the one that's the best! I suspect we'll get the same results on the other stuff. lol ;)

Lawrence, you wrote that not all pigments ar available in acrylic paint. That is a good point for oil paints. However, personally I never invested in hig class (high priced) pigments when buying oil paint in the old days. so I do not miss them in the acrylic sortiment on my palett, hehe...

I do not even buy all available pigments i acrylics, due to high pricing.

And I do not photograph my paintings with the best color-gamut setting on my camera - I settle with sRGB.

On the other hand, I charge very little for my original paintings. So no one get hurts, haha...

Lutz...as long as you don't get hurt by your low prices...it's all good. ;)

Most of my tubes come from your part of the world...Holland/Germany/Netherlands/England...so they're probably more money for me than you. lol

Lawrence, actually my oncle was head of the German brand Schminke, and I got free watercolors at that time.

So what about the watercolor medium, fellows?

Great job Lutz!

Voila! A new acrylic painting. This time I made photos while the painting was in progress, since it is a commission work.



How about your works in progress?

Most of my paintings were done in watercolor - or acrylic thinned to watercolor consistency. I have painted in oil and acrylic - and if I had to choose between the two - I like oil better - just feel of using it while painting. But I love watercolor.

The only thing "wrong" with watercolor is the framing and glazing - makes them heavy, glare abounds, and the glass breaks.

Lutz, that is an amazing process that you have there. I think I'll try it myself. It appears that you took a thin brush to draw out your work; I've never done that, but it looks like a challenge.

Acrylics by a huge margin. Began with Oils as Nadine had been using them for decades, it was easy just to use hers. One day bought a basic set of colors of Acrylics, and finished the painting in one day. Havent looked back. Yes, liked the finish on oil, but learned a few things as an avid reader. One thing that always bothered me was after seeing painting which had been cleaned at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, was the difference in the original.

Many paint today to try to make the work look like some of "The Masters." Making oils looked aged. Then realized "The Masters" never painted that way, that their work was full of brilliant color. Thought of the LIFE OF PLASTIC. ACRYLIC is plastic, so our paintings with acrylic should look the same, decades from now.

One of My most memorable Painting was deliberately done with acrylics, it was why I picked up the acrylics, as never wanted it to change.
Then put 12 coats of a gloss over it, as I wanted it to look like it was on Black Marble. It was all done in Blacks and a silvery gray...

You can also buy a product in art supplies which puts a satin coating on the artwork that looks much like oils.
There is another to give them a high gloss.

In a Glass shop you can also get glass which if virtually unbreakable and lacks glare.
Bought a piece of it myself to use as my palette, its very easy to clean, even if it dries on.
They also ground the edges for me so they are not sharp.
Am using a single edge razor blade to clean it when it dries hard.

Admin : All Seasons Landscapes

I use both, I like using oil for outdoors and acrylic for the studio.

Both are too powerful and universal so it's hard to pick one...Oil is timeless classic...and I love my acrylic experiments...@ Nadine & Bob fully agree with U...

Hi Lutz et al,
I'm enjoying this discussion. I especially liked your work in progress photos...Since I don't blog I did the next best thing for my "process".
Two days ago I "finished a painting in two hours and half a century". If you tell me how to post here I will since you asked about our processes.
I started the large oil on a linen canvas in the 1960s and hauled it out and in the spirit of painting from a live model posing I painted quickly.
Originally not to waste time or opportunity I did three poses...two on the front and one on the back. In finishing the work in just over two hours
I changed the women slightly to be more interactive and added lots of imaginative foliage leaving some areas white and clean from the original.
On my FAA page the photo of me with the old painting is under my gallery titled Betty Pieper at Work and the new (half century old beginning)
is posted under Children and People. It is called "The Innocents". My process of divisions of space is clear even when painting from life I think.
Of course I'd love comments.

Love them both for different reasons, quit using oils because I lost my sense of smell. In other words I no longer can smell turpentine. Thought that might not be a good thing so I changed over to acrylics for a few years. Then I discovered gouache, which I love but was worried about cracking. Now I work in Acryla Gouache, which is an acrylic paint that mimics gouache. Quick drying, intense colors and the ability to build up layers.

If I had a dollar for everyone who looked at my work and said, "so, you paint in oils?" I would have more than a couple. Many years ago I did paint in oils, then I became a "behind the couch" painter. No studio. Oils were/are smelly and messy, they tend to migrate to places we do not want them, like on the furniture (or children). While in college I was introduced to acrylics and never looked back. I am not an advocate who says "you must do it my way." I don't really care what medium you use. As Lawrence so eloquently pointed out... it is the result that counts.

Ronald, I never could master gouache, do not know why. As a sometimes book cover illustrator, gouache is prefered, but I always made a muddy mess using them, so I stuck to watercolor & acrylic on illustration board.

I see a whole lot of comments from artists here who can ALL really paint, so I think we all could work well with mud if we were forced to.